From the editor’s desk

Published: Monday, Dec. 16, 2013 5:44 p.m. CDT

It’s difficult to believe the end of the year is in sight ... Wow! It seems like it was just a few weeks ago when I was thinking about another year in the newspaper business and working on how we could make our products have more impact and more appeal for you — our readers.

After all, the way news is distributed has changed drastically throughout the years. Not everyone wants to read their newspaper by turning page after page, rather they want to hit a website or mobile device and pick and choose what stories/items/photos they see. As a media outlet, it’s up to us to keep up with the times and give you want you want/need to make reading the Bureau County Republican an enjoyable experience. Which leads me to another question ...

As we move into 2014, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t take a look back ... and a look forward. We need to embrace those things we have been doing well, and we also need to examine those things that we can improve. We also need to think about ways we are lacking and how to better our products that we deliver to you, regardless of that delivery method. This goes for all aspects of our business, from editorial to advertising to delivery. That’s where you come in.

Because we value your thoughts, comments, input and suggestions, I’d like to welcome you to contact me with your ideas. What would you like to see in your newspaper, journal, magazines? Do you want more people stories, more investigative reports, more advertising, more news stories, more photos? How can we make our products more appealing to you? While each of you might have a different idea, that’s OK. Everyone is different, and we value all of your thoughts.

Please send your ideas to me at tsimon@bcrnews.com. You can also write me a note and send it to my attention at BCR, P.O. Box 340, Princeton, IL 61356. You are also welcome to call me at 815-875-4461, ext. 229, however, email and letters are best. I’ll be anxious to hear from you. Thanks in advance for helping us deliver your hometown newspaper.

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I have to tell you about a fun time I had the other day. For years, my mom has been the one to make pies for all our family events. She took over for my grandmother, who also could make a pie/crust that would melt in your mouth. Me? I can bake and cook up a storm, but I’ve never made a pie crust in my life. From my perspective, that red box with two refrigerated pie crusts at Sullivan’s Foods works for me, or even those frozen Pet-Ritz varieties are sufficient. The idea of buying a pie crust causes my mom to shudder. So, the other day, she invited my cousin Debbie (who has never made a pie crust either) and myself to her home for Pie Crust Making 101. It was so much fun.

The three of us stood at the counter, while my mom taught us the pie crust-making ropes. Deb and I left Mom’s house — not with just a perfect pie crust, but also with a myriad of memories made.

Who makes that special dish in your family? Why not have them teach you how to make it! I guarantee the rewards will be tastier than the dish they prepare.

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Thought for today: “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: Loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” Bob Hope.

Thought for tomorrow: “In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it ‘Christmas’ and went to church; the Jews called it ‘Hanukkah’ and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say ‘Merry Christmas!’ or ‘Happy Hanukkah!’ or (to the atheists) ‘Look out for the wall!” Dave Barry.

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Take time for you and those you love. And remember ... you are important to me and the BCR.